freenovelworld Chapter 137 Warm-up match with Changcheng (Part )
Chapter 137 Warm-up match with Changcheng (Part )
In the original novel, Shizuoka Prefecture's Changcheng High School played three practice matches with summer training Xiangbei, with a record of one loss, one win, and one draw. Judging from the record, Changcheng High School is indeed quite strong. The fact that they can play smoothly in the first round of the national competition is enough to show that they are a veteran team.
But judging from the players on both sides, during the training camp, Xiangbei was able to achieve such results against Changcheng High School, which had the home advantage, even without Sakuragi Hanamichi and coach Anzai Mitsuyoshi. The strength of Changcheng High School may really not be as good as Xiangbei High School, which has all five players.
What about Changcheng High School a year ago? How strong was it? Can Xiangbei, with all its main players, tie with Changcheng this time? The result will be known after the game.
Soon, both Chang Cheng and Xiangbei's teams gathered on the basketball court, changed into their jerseys, and the players warmed up with layups in an orderly manner on the court.
"Well, Xiangbei is also quite strong." The coach of Changcheng looked at the Xiangbei players who were warming up. He noticed that Mugure and Mitsui's shots were accurate. Not only Mugure and Mitsui, but also Katsumi, a shooter with a high hit rate.
Warm-up is over, practice begins
常城先发球员：中锋:5号长左佑西192cm，大前锋：8号御子柴185cm，小前锋6号石原章晃184cm，得分后卫9号汤船俊181cm，控球后卫4号桑田秀一
湘北先发队员：中锋：11号堀田德男187cm，大前锋：4号草尾毅187cm，小前锋10号长谷川一志189cm，得分后卫13号克美一郎177cm，控球后卫9号木暮公延180cm
Akagi had just recovered from injury, so for safety reasons, Coach Anzai did not let Akagi start, nor did he let Mitsui play. He let Mitsui watch Changcheng's strength from the sidelines. Xiangbei adopted a more conservative and tentative approach. Compared with Xiangbei, Changcheng, who also did not know the opponent well, could of course use a lineup that was more inclined to tentative to preserve their full strength, but for various reasons, Changcheng sent out five main players at once.
The reasons are as follows: First, the coach attaches great importance to the opponent. A team that can fight back and forth with Hainan is worthy of Chang Cheng's attention. This is also the reason why the coach chose Xiangbei as the training target for Chang Cheng. Second, it is the home advantage. The players present are all passionate and hate to lose. It is precisely because Chang Cheng has the advantage of home court that he is unwilling to lose to the opponent.
Beat the opponent in the first half, this is what Chang Cheng and his five teammates are thinking at the moment.
Nagazo Yusai had the advantage in height, and he overpowered Horita Tokuo to win the ball, and Kuwata Shuichi got the ball. Without waiting for Murasaki to press, he passed the ball directly to the inside. Mikoshiba in the inside got the ball. With a fake move from left to right, he deceived Kusao Takeshi's defense and scored a layup.
Xiangbei counterattacked, but Kusao Takeshi's shot was rejected by the basket. Chang Zuoyouxi grabbed the rebound and handed it to Kuwata Shuichi. Kuwata Shuichi pushed forward and Mugure followed closely. Kuwata Shuichi could not use his speed to get rid of Mugure's defense.
"You have some strength," Kuwata Hideichi praised, slowing down his pace. He dribbled the ball in place. "Mikoshiba" Kuwata passed the ball to Mikoshiba. After Mikoshiba received the ball, he jumped up and shot a mid-range shot. Kusao Takeshi was shocked and could not block it, so the ball went into the net.
"As expected of the next captain of Changcheng, your shooting is decisive and resolute," Mugure praised.
Xiangbei attacked, but Horita Tokuo's shot was blocked. Changcheng counterattacked and handed the ball to Mikoshiba again.
"Attention No. 8" Xiangbei shrinks its defense, Hasegawa rushes back to assist, Mikoshiba does not choose to attack this time, but passes it to Ishihara who is left alone
"Oops!" Kemei rushed to fill in the position, but when he just got in front of Ishihara, Ishihara passed the ball to the left again, and the ball fell into the hands of Tangchuan who was unguarded. Tangchuan took a three-pointer and hit it! Changcheng started the game with a 7:0 lead over Xiangbei!
"Oh wow, they are indeed a nationally renowned team, their offense is very methodical." Coach Anxi was watching from the sidelines, nodding his head. However, he did not call a timeout. He believed that the players on the field would solve the problem.
"Looks like I have to attack." With Akagi and Mitsui not around, Murasakibara has to take the lead in attacking. Murasakibara dribbled the ball across half court, and instead of dribbling slowly, he sped up. Although he was ahead and the offense was going smoothly, as the captain of Changcheng, Kuwata never relaxed his defense against Murasakibara. Murasakibara is one of the best players in Kanagawa, and it's no secret that Murasakibara is one of the best players in Kanagawa. Kuwata remained vigilant. He slid sideways and followed Murasakibara's dribbling route. He didn't give Murasakibara any chance to get away.
At this moment, Murasakibara braked, stopped abruptly, let the basketball bounce under his crotch, and then he picked up the ball and made a shooting motion.
Kuwata's body took two more steps back due to inertia. As soon as he stabilized himself, he looked up and saw Mugure's move. He wanted to block it, but it was too late. Mugure had already jumped up and kicked the ball out. In less than a second, the basketball fell into the net. Xiangbei successfully scored.
"Good job, Murasakibara," Captain Kusao Takeshi came over and high-fived Murasakibara.
"Everyone, keep this ball," Mu Mu clapped his hands.
"Good!" Inspired by Mugure's goal, the Xiangbei players were full of fighting spirit. This time, Kuwata did not choose to attack directly, and handed the ball to Mikoshiba again. Mikoshiba had been the captain of Xiangbei twice in a row before. He had enough confidence in Mikoshiba. Mikoshiba got the ball and made a probing step, but Kusao Takeshi was not fooled at all. Mikoshiba made a fake shot, and Kusao Takeshi was not fooled either
"His defense is much tougher than before," Mikoshiba muttered secretly. This time, Mikoshiba chose to play against Kusao Takeshi with his back to the basket. After dribbling the ball for two steps, he turned around, bypassed Kusao Takeshi's defense, and shot.
"Don't underestimate me," Kusao Takeshi caught up from behind and pointed his finger at the ball in Mikoshiba's hand. The ball hit the front of the basket and missed. Horita overpowered Chang Zuoyouxi and grabbed the backcourt rebound.
"Give it to me" Kogure has already started, and Horita immediately passes it to Kogure. Kogure gets the ball and then makes a quick attack alone
"It's not that simple." Kuwata Shuichi had already rushed back and stood in the reasonable collision area under the basket, blocking Mugure's forward path. If Mugure rushed forward again, he would probably be called for an offensive foul by Kuwata.
"As expected of the captain of Changcheng, he has excellent defensive awareness." Mitsui, who was standing by the field, also secretly admired Kuwata's defensive skills.
Kuwata's adaptability showed his solid defensive skills, but Mumu was not to be outdone. He blew the ball with his right hand and drew a circle with his right hand upwards, then made a jump step to the left to mislead Kuwata's defensive center of gravity. When his left foot landed, he turned his hips along with the ball, exerted force on his toes, turned to the right, and scored a layup. The whole action was done in one go.
"Beautiful!" Mitsui cheered from the sidelines. Kuwata Shuichi was still standing there in confusion, wondering how he scored.
"This Murasaki is really no ordinary person. Senior Anzai, you have trained an outstanding player." Coach Miyazaki of Changcheng looked at the coaching seat of Xiangbei.
"It doesn't matter, we are still leading by three points, let's all score a goal." Kuwata Hideichi was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered and reminded the Changcheng players while dribbling forward.
"Mikoshiba" Kuwata passed the ball to Mikoshiba again. But this time, after passing the ball, Kuwata chose to cut in. Murasaki did not dare to be careless and immediately followed Kuwata, but the center Chang Zuo Youxi went up to the line to cover Kuwata. Murasaki was blocked out. Mikoshiba passed the ball to Kuwata, who rushed to the basket, faced Horida's defense, and made a small pull-up shot. He scored a point and caused Horida to foul, and made the free throw!